Visual hypersensitivity in patients treated with anti-calcitonin gene-related peptide (receptor) monoclonal antibodies.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of treatment with anti-calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP; receptor) antibodies on visual hypersensitivity in patients with migraine.

BACKGROUND

Increased visual sensitivity can be present both during and outside migraine attacks. CGRP has been demonstrated to play a key role in light-aversive behavior.

METHODS

In this prospective follow-up study, patients treated for migraine with erenumab (n = 105) or fremanezumab (n = 100) in the Leiden Headache Center were invited to complete a questionnaire on visual sensitivity (the Leiden Visual Sensitivity Scale [L-VISS]), pertaining to both their ictal and interictal state, before starting treatment (T0) and 3 months after treatment initiation (T1). Using a daily e-diary, treatment effectiveness was assessed in weeks 9-12 compared to a 4-week pre-treatment baseline period. L-VISS scores were compared between T0 and T1. Subsequently, the association between the reduction in L-VISS scores and the reduction in monthly migraine days (MMD) was investigated.

RESULTS

At 3 months, the visual hypersensitivity decreased, with a decrease in mean ± standard deviation (SD) ictal L-VISS (from 20.1 ± 7.7 to 19.2 ± 8.1, p = 0.042) and a decrease in mean ± SD interictal L-VISS (from 11.8 ± 6.6 to 11.1 ± 7.0, p = 0.050). We found a positive association between the reduction in MMD and the decrease in interictal L-VISS (β = 0.2, p = 0.010) and the reduction in ictal L-VISS (β = 0.3, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

A decrease in visual hypersensitivity in patients with migraine after treatment with anti-CGRP (receptor) antibodies is positively associated with clinical response on migraine.